Michael R. Kasony-O'Malley, Professional Storyteller, offers storytelling programs for audiences of all ages, including programs tailored for children, for teens & young adults, for families, and for adult audiences. As Michael says, "There is sometimes a perception that storytelling is only for young children. One of my goals is to offer a variety of storytelling programs aimed at a variety of ages. Within each of my four areas of focus (Irish Tales, Slovak & Slavic Stories, Christmas Legends, and Earth Mother Stories), I offer storytelling programs tailored for children, teens & young adults, families, or adult audiences." Michael's best advertisement is that folks keep inviting him back for more stories. Over 75 times he has been invited back for additional storytelling performances and programs. Below, Michael discusses storytelling with different age groups and story listeners reflect on their experiences of the storytelling programs.

Storytelling With Children
Michael says, "I am a former elementary school teacher. I taught grades 1st through 4th and I love telling stories to the young folks. Good storytelling excites children about books & reading. Through storytelling, children learn listening skills and oral communication skills. Through folk tales, they learn about other cultures and they learn about similarities and differences. In our modern world, we do not do enough to encourage and nurture our children's imaginations. Albert Einstein said, 'Imagination is more important than knowledge.' Good storytelling enlivens and stimulates children's imaginations. Every culture throughout history has taught their young through story. With stories, children learn important lessons that may stay with them - for we are made to hold and remember narrative. Besides all this, it's just plain FUN!

When telling stories to the primary grades (K-2), I make the stories highly interactive. This helps to hold the attention and the focus of young listeners during the storytelling programs, but it also helps them to encode and remember the stories for later re-telling. With the intermediate grades (3-6), the stories are still interactive - but I make sure that its 'cool enough' for those 'cool' 5th & 6th graders - and I involve the students more in various vocal parts of the story."

"Little things throughout the day, all year long, will remind our two children, Dylan and Heather, of one of the stories that they heard Michael tell. As little things pop up, they come back to the stories again and again." Suzanne Griffin, parent

Michael's storytelling programs for children include a variety of Irish Tales, Slovak & Slavic Stories, Christmas Legends, and Earth Mother Stories. He also offers storytelling workshops for small groups and storytelling residencies for schools. In addition, Michael tells stories to teens & young adults, families, and adult audiences. For fees and scheduling, you may contact Michael at: P.O. Box 82454, Columbus, OH 43202; (614) 267-9426, or E-mail: michael@michaelthestoryteller.com

Storytelling with Teens & Young Adults
Michael begins, "Storytelling and story listening is critically important for that range of time from the early teen years to young adulthood. When I am telling stories at the middle school, high school, or college level, I tailor the storytelling to the age of the audience. In differing ways, these audiences are all at critical points in their lives where stories, if carefully selected and properly told, may touch them deeply. Oftentimes, during question & answer sessions with young people, we'll discuss the roles of stories and storytelling in the modern world - including the creative process, the value of folk literature, the ways that personal and family narratives shape us, and the impact of the various media (television, movies, the news, the internet) that have now become our culture's dominant storytellers. I was a young adult when I heard a wonderful storyteller and `caught the storytelling bug.' Today's young people will decide if the revival of the ancient art of storytelling will continue to blossom in the next generations or not. Our young people must listen today if they want to carry on & share their family stories with their children tomorrow. I believe storytelling for teens and young adults is vital. I believe that it is vitally important to select stories for these audiences mindfully. And I believe it is vitally important that the stories selected for these audiences are well told."

"He made a book come out of his mouth!" 1st grade student

"I've had wonderful dreams about all of the stories that Mr. Kasony-O'Malley told us." 4th grade student

"I have heard other storytellers, including some in Europe, and Michael is by far the best I have ever heard. He brings life to the printed word and transforms characters as if they were in the room with him." Beth Taylor, 1st/2nd grade teacher

"Wonderful talent! The stories really came alive for the students." Shirley Meyer, 3rd/4th grade teacher

"His confidence, quiet presence, and manner of telling led the class to be caught up in the adventure." Mary Pat Held, 4th/5th grade teacher

"I have seen an entire high school of 600 students, along with teachers & staff, captured by his stories and enchanted by Michael's storytelling for the full sixty minutes that he was on the stage." Todd Albert

"My college students loved him! He quickly engaged the audience with both humor and poignancy. I highly recommend him for all ages." Dr. Deleasa Randall-Griffiths, Associate Professor in Communication Arts, Ashland University

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Storytelling with Families
Michael says, "It is a great joy when I can look out on an audience and see children, teens, parents, and grandparents all savoring the same story at the same moment. And, oftentimes, I'll see adults who are even more `into it' than the youngsters! I want my family storytelling programs to be fun & joyful & interactive, but I also want to touch the audience through story. I believe people of all ages are hungry for stories that feed the soul. We live in an entertainment-centered culture, families watch stories on TV and in movie theaters, but few of those stories really `feed us.' Whether I am sharing a silly or a sacred story, a mystical tale or a family anecdote, an Irish, a Slovak, a Christmas, or an Earth Mother story, I want to awaken something in the listeners, I want to connect with the audience, I want to provide that `soul food for families.' The storyteller Brother Blue once told me, 'Always entertain them. And never just entertain them.' I always encourage family audiences to celebrate stories in their lives. I encourage family audiences to read stories & books aloud to each other at home. I encourage families to simply listen to each other - to share the stories about the day, to share the memories of special times, and to share the family lore about friends, relatives, and the ancestors who may no longer be with us - for it is through story that we know each other, know our histories, and know ourselves."

Michael's storytelling programs for families include a variety of Irish Tales, Slovak & Slavic Stories, Christmas Legends, and Earth Mother Stories. He also offers storytelling workshops for small groups and storytelling residencies for schools. In addition, Michael tells stories to children, teens & young adults, and adult audiences. For fees and scheduling, you may contact Michael at: P.O. Box 82454, Columbus, OH 43202; (614) 267-9426, or E-mail: michael@michaelthestoryteller.com

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Storytelling with Adult Audiences
Michael says, "The reasons for sharing stories with adults are as varied as the reasons for telling stories to youngsters. With adult audiences, I usually offer a mixture of folk tales and family stories. Some adults appreciate the mystical and mysterious elements of an old folk tale. Other adults enjoy the humor and layers of meaning in a family story. And all adults can recognize & feel the power of a good story. As adults, we understand that not only do stories sometimes outlive the characters in the stories or the tellers of the tales, some stories will even outlive the time, the culture, and the nation that they were born in. And stories teach. Whether it is a family story or a folk tale, an original story or or a literary one, stories have always been there to amuse and to illuminate. For myself, as an adult who also loves to listen to stories, I know that a story's lessons may serve as subtle or not-so-subtle reminders & guides for me in my lifelong path of learning. When adults laugh at characters in my stories, especially in my family stories, they often laugh in recognition - for my dad may remind you of your Uncle Jim or my Aunt Mary may seem just like a school teacher from your childhood. To remind people to reminisce is, I think, worthwhile work. For parents and educators, I want them to see the importance of stories & storytelling - the power of stories as tools for learning, the educational benefits of sharing folk and children's literature with youngsters, and the deep importance of family lore & personal stories. With all adults, but especially with the grandparents and elders, I want them to leave my storytelling programs encouraged - with a greater desire to share their own stories with loved ones. The benefits of storytelling to adults are many. I like to remember the woman in her mid-80s who came up to me at the end of one of my adult storytelling programs. She came up, placed my two hands in hers, looked at me with smiling eyes and said, 'Thank you.' And then, after a long smiling pause, she added, 'It's been a long time since somebody told me a good story.'"

"Michael's storytelling is definitely NOT 'just for the kids.' Every time I hear him I think, 'Its unbelievable.' If I hear he's going to be telling stories, I say to my friends, 'Hey, you have to come. You have to hear Michael tell a story.' And people say to me, 'You're really sold on him and his storytelling, aren't you?' And I say, 'I am. I really am.'" Dorothy Bednarik, Poland, OH

Michael's storytelling programs for adult audiences include a variety of Irish Tales, Slovak & Slavic Stories, Christmas Legends, and Earth Mother Stories. He also offers storytelling workshops for small groups and storytelling residencies for schools. In addition, Michael tells stories to children, families, and adult audiences. For fees and scheduling, you may contact Michael at: P.O. Box 82454, Columbus, OH 43202; (614) 267-9426, or E-mail: michael@michaelthestoryteller.com

"A pleasure to watch! Michael knows how to involve the entire family audience. I witnessed smiles galore. Everyone had a wonderful time." Brenda Baker, Inniswood Metro Gardens

"Michael's storytelling is like a 'family playgroup.' There are kids'
playgroups where the kids get together and play games and have opportunities for group participation. Well, this is a playgroup for the whole family! When Michael tells the stories, we're all involved in the group participation. We're not just sitting there, it's interactive. You have to pay attention at the same time, you have to respond at the right time, you have to be on your toes, and its fun. Michael's storytelling programs provide us with an opportunity to play together as a family." Suzanne Griffin, parent

"Michael's stories are for everyone - from the young to the ancient! Everybody enjoys his stories. Everybody. There aren't words to explain how terrific his stories are. They're out of this world. They really are." Betty DeArcangelis, Youngstown, OH

"What a professional! The entire adult audience was mesmerized with his heart-warming and lively stories. Michael is a true advocate for the art of storytelling." Tricia Applegate, Ashland Arts Council, Ashland, OH

"Whether he is telling an original story or one passed down over the ages, Michael is charismatic and enthusiastic. He leaves us enchanted." Todd Albert

"The kids enjoy it, but, to me, Michael's work is an art form. Its not something only for the kids. Like today, looking at his festival audience, it was mostly adults. Like others here, I've seen him over several years and, obviously, we're seeing something we like. If Michael can make me see Agnes flying down the street on her wheelchair, then he's done something. I respect what Michael is doing. I respect his art." Jim Griffin